Books That Teach Kids What Inclusion Really Looks Like: Our Favorite Reads at Every Age
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A parent-curated reading list for families, classrooms, and anyone who believes every kid deserves to see themselves on the shelf.
This list focuses on books featuring children with physical disabilities. There are many wonderful books about inclusion more broadly, as well as books covering other conditions like autism, hearing loss, and Down syndrome, but that's a list for another day. The list below is organized by age group to help you find the right fit for your reader.
Every year, we show up to Read Across America Guest Reader Day at our kids' elementary school with the same book: Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems. If you haven't read it, the premise is simple. Gerald and Piggie are playing catch when Snake asks to join in. The problem, of course, is that Snake has no arms. What follows is a series of genuinely funny attempts to figure out how to make it work. There's no heavy-handed lesson here. It's just two friends determined to find a way to include someone, because that's what friends do.
That's the kind of message we want our kids absorbing early and often. Inclusion isn't about lowering the bar or making exceptions. It's about being creative enough and caring enough to figure it out.
We feel the same way about Daniel's New Friend, the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood book based on the episode where Daniel meets Chrissie, a girl who wears leg braces and uses crutches. Chrissie talks matter-of-factly about the things she can do on her own and the things she needs help with. Her straightforward attitude gives young viewers a natural way to learn about someone who moves differently. We loved it so much we sent a copy to our kiddo's preschool teacher to read to the class. Children who wear braces get to see themselves in the story. Kids without braces get a clear, simple picture of what it actually looks like to have a friend who wears one.
And then there are the books your kids find on their own. At a recent school book fair, our kids picked up Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze, a true story about a girl born with arthrogryposis and clubfoot. Both are conditions our own kiddo knows firsthand. Reading it together meant something extra for our family, given how much of Rebeka's story overlaps with our kiddo's own experience. If your child has either of those diagnoses, this one belongs on your shelf.
One quick note before we get into the list. We haven't personally read every book here, but we've researched each one carefully and are genuinely looking forward to working our way through the ones we haven't gotten to yet. If you've read any of them with your own kids, we'd love to hear what you thought.
Here's our age-by-age reading list for families raising kids who believe everyone gets to play.
Board Books and Picture Books for the Youngest Readers (Ages 2–5)
Daniel's New Friend (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood) By Becky Friedman Daniel and Miss Elaina are visiting Prince Wednesday's castle when they meet Chrissie, Prince Wednesday's cousin, who wears braces on her legs to help her walk. Chrissie may move differently than Daniel, but she loves the color red and playing pretend just as much as he does. This is one of the most accurate portrayals of leg braces in children's media, and it opens conversations for very young kids in a way that feels completely natural.
Can I Play Too? By Mo Willems The one we read every year at Read Across America Guest Reader Day. Gerald and Piggie work creatively to include their new friend Snake, who has no arms. It's funny, it's warm, and it gets to the heart of what real inclusion looks like without ever being preachy. Ages 2–5.
Hip, Hop, Hooray for Brooklynn! By Jill Harold and Betsy Miller Written by a clubfoot mom inspired by her daughter Brooklynn's treatment journey, this upbeat picture book follows a little bunny who wears her brace at night and is determined to learn to hop rope in time for the Hippity Hop Games. The word "clubfoot" never appears in the book. The authors wanted any child to relate to the story, not just those with the diagnosis. There's a note for parents in the back with practical tips. Worth putting in the hands of siblings too, who often have their own questions about why their brother or sister goes to the doctor so much. Ages 2–5.
One in 1000 By Sonia Alcón Jojo's feet aren't like everyone else's. When he's taken to the hospital and given a strange pair of boots to wear, he's scared. Help comes from unexpected places. Written and illustrated by a London-based designer and mom whose son was born with clubfoot, the illustrations alone make this one worth finding. A free audiobook version is available on YouTube, which makes it especially accessible for families. There's also a companion book, Two in 2000, featuring the author's daughter, who was also born with bilateral clubfoot. Ages 3–6.
Picture Books for Early Elementary Readers (Ages 4–9)
Some Kids Wear Leg Braces By Lola M. Schaefer Straightforward and practical. This book helps kids understand why some children wear leg braces and how those devices support mobility and independence. Real-life photographs and clear language normalize physical differences without making a big deal of them. Worth sharing with a classroom before a new student with braces arrives, or putting in the hands of a child who wants to understand what their classmate's brace is all about. Ages 4–8.
We Move Together By Kelly Fritch, illustrated by Anne McGuire Kids moving in all kinds of ways — on bikes and strollers and buses, and with walkers, wheelchairs, and canes. No single child is singled out as "the one with the disability." Everyone is just moving, together. It's visually joyful and works across a wide range of ages. Ages 4–8.
What Happened to You? By James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground when another kid notices he has one leg and the questions start piling up. Was it a shark? A burglar? Did it fall off? Joe grows more and more frustrated, because he doesn't owe anyone an explanation and he just wants to play. Written by a disabled author who himself has one leg, this Schneider Family Book Award Honor book is one of the most useful on this list for families navigating the questions other kids ask. It validates the disabled child's right to set boundaries around their own body and diagnosis, while also helping non-disabled kids understand why those questions can feel intrusive. There's a companion book, You're So Amazing!, also by the Catchpoles, which continues Joe's story and features him using crutches. Ages 4–8.
I Will Dance By Nancy Bo Flood, illustrated by Julianna Swaney Eva has cerebral palsy and one wish: to dance. When her family finds an inclusive dance company that welcomes dancers of all abilities, Eva discovers a studio full of kids moving in all different ways. Some dance unaided. Some use canes and crutches, walkers and wheels. One wears a prosthesis. Based on a real girl and a real inclusive dance company in Minneapolis, this is one of the few picture books where walkers and crutches appear naturally as part of the story rather than as a focal point of explanation. A solid choice for kids who use any kind of mobility device and want to see themselves doing something they love. Ages 4–8.
Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah By Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls One of the strongest picture book biographies on this list. Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was born in Ghana with one functional leg, abandoned by his father, and told by most people that he would never amount to anything. He hopped two miles to school and back every day, learned to play soccer, and eventually bicycled 400 miles across Ghana to change how his country saw people with disabilities. His advocacy directly inspired the Ghanaian Parliament to pass the Persons with Disability Act. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, this inspiring biography works just as well in classrooms as it does at home. Ages 5–9.
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship By Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, illustrated by Scott Magoon Rescue is a black lab learning to be a service dog. Jessica is learning to walk again after losing her leg, adjusting to life with a prosthetic. When the two are paired as a team, they discover they need each other in ways neither expected. Because the story is told from Rescue's perspective rather than Jessica's, the disability representation comes through naturally rather than as the focal point. A 2019 Schneider Family Book Award winner and a New York Times bestseller. Ages 5–9.
Awesomely Emma: A Charley and Emma Story By Amy Webb Emma loves art and knows a lot about it. She's thrilled about the art museum field trip until she can't go in the front door because there's no ramp for her wheelchair. Later, she feels frustrated when her friend Charley does things for her without asking. This one opens up useful conversations about accessibility and the difference between helping and taking over, a distinction a lot of kids and adults need to work through. Ages 4–8.
This Is How We Play By Jessica Slice A 2024 picture book featuring families at play, each with a family member who has a disability. The illustrations are worth the price of the book alone. A newer addition to the shelf and one worth seeking out. Ages 4–8.
Chapter Books for Middle Elementary Readers (Ages 8–12)
Her Own Two Feet: A Rwandan Girl's Brave Fight to Walk By Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze Families affected by clubfoot or arthrogryposis may find this book especially meaningful. Rebeka Uwitonze was born with arthrogryposis, a condition characterized by contracted joints that results in stiffness, clubfeet, and muscle atrophy in her arms. At nine years old, she travels from Rwanda to Austin, Texas, to live with a host family and undergo corrective treatment — a year of castings, surgeries, and physical therapy — before returning home. It's a true story co-written by Rebeka herself, and it covers clubfoot treatment and arthrogryposis in a way that feels real and accessible rather than clinical. Our kids found it at a school book fair, not knowing yet how much of Rebeka's story would mirror our own kiddo's experience. Ages 8–12.
The War That Saved My Life By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley A girl with a clubfoot escapes a difficult home situation during World War II evacuations and finds a world where she is welcomed. A layered story that doesn't shy away from the harder parts of growing up with a physical difference. It won a Newbery Honor, and it's one of those books kids tend to talk about long after they've finished it. Ages 9–12.
The Chance to Fly By Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz Nat, a thirteen-year-old girl in a wheelchair, moves to a new town and auditions for her favorite musical. She needs to show the director just how much she can do and that she can dance in her own way. Ali Stroker, the author, is herself a wheelchair user and Broadway actress, so the representation here is grounded in real experience. Ages 10 and up.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus By Dusti Bowling A girl born without arms and a boy with Tourette syndrome navigate middle school, disability, and friendship while solving a mystery at a western theme park. Funny and not remotely heavy-handed. Kids who don't have disabilities tend to love this one just as much as kids who do. Ages 10–14.
Great Picks for the Classroom
Not every book on this list works equally well as a classroom read-aloud. These are the ones that tend to land best in a group setting, spark natural conversation, and give teachers a way to talk about inclusion without singling out any one child.
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems is the strongest all-around classroom pick for kindergarten and early elementary. Short enough to read in a single sitting, funny enough to hold a room full of five-year-olds, and the problem-solving angle gives kids something to discuss rather than just absorb. Ask the class "what would you have tried?" and the conversation takes off.
Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson is a standout for grades 1 through 4. It's a true story, which adds weight, and Emmanuel's message lands naturally without any adult framing required. The book has won multiple awards specifically recognized by educators and librarians. Teachers who want to connect disability inclusion to broader themes of perseverance and advocacy will find a lot to work with here.
Daniel's New Friend works especially well in preschool and kindergarten classrooms where a child with leg braces or crutches is joining the group. It models the kinds of questions kids might want to ask in a respectful way, and Chrissie's matter-of-fact attitude gives kids a clear picture of how to treat a peer with a physical difference. If you're sending a book to a teacher at the start of the school year, this is the one to send.
Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes works well across kindergarten through grade 3. Because the story is told from Rescue's perspective rather than Jessica's, it sidesteps the "let's all look at the kid with the disability" dynamic that can make some inclusion books feel awkward in a classroom. Kids are pulled into Rescue's story first, and the disability representation comes through naturally. The endnote about service dog training gives teachers a built-in extension activity.
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole is a strong choice for grades 1 through 3. It addresses the experience of being asked intrusive questions about a disability directly, which makes it useful for classrooms that include a child with a physical difference and for classrooms that don't. The discussion it opens, about the difference between curious and kind, is one most kids genuinely need to have.
We Move Together by Kelly Fritch works across a wide age range and is particularly effective as a discussion starter about the many different ways people move through the world. Because no single child is centered as "the one with the disability," nobody gets put on the spot. It's visually rich enough to hold the attention of younger kids while giving older readers more to think about.
Some Kids Wear Leg Braces by Lola M. Schaefer works best as a pre-read before a child with braces joins a new class. It answers the questions kids are likely to have in simple, direct language, which makes it a practical tool for a teacher who wants to prepare the class without making a big production of it.
A note for teachers: sending a book home for families to read together before it's read in class tends to deepen the classroom conversation. When kids have already talked about it at home, they come in with more to say.
A Note for Parents and Teachers
You don't have to wait for a "teaching moment" to pull out these books. The best time to read stories about inclusion is before a child needs the vocabulary — before a classmate gets a new brace, before someone stares at a walker, before a kid doesn't know what to say. Books like these do that work in the background, before it's ever needed.
Many of these books are wonderful for siblings too. They can help brothers and sisters better understand treatments, mobility devices, and the everyday experiences of children with physical disabilities, often in a way that feels more natural coming from a story than from a conversation with a parent.
Whether your child wears AFOs, SMOs, KAFOs, clubfoot boots and bar, or uses a walker, crutches, or another mobility device, books like these help normalize those experiences and start conversations that last well beyond story time.
And if you're looking for ways to extend those conversations beyond the bookshelf, toys can help too. Dolls and figures that reflect the wide range of mobility devices many children use every day give kids another opportunity to practice inclusion through play. That's one of the reasons we create orthopedic-themed dolls and accessories at OrthoBaby. Stories and play often work hand in hand, giving children another chance to see themselves reflected in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best children's books about physical disability inclusion? Some of our favorites include Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems, Daniel's New Friend from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, We Move Together by Kelly Fritch, Some Kids Wear Leg Braces by Lola M. Schaefer, What Happened to You? by James Catchpole, I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood, Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson, Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze, and The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. The right book depends on your child's age and what kind of conversation you're hoping to start.
What books are good for explaining leg braces to young children? Daniel's New Friend and Some Kids Wear Leg Braces are both strong starting points. Daniel's New Friend is particularly well-regarded for the accuracy of its brace portrayal and for modeling how to ask respectful questions about someone's device. Hip, Hop, Hooray for Brooklynn! is also worth considering specifically for children who wear a brace at night, as the story centers on a character navigating exactly that.
Are there children's books about clubfoot? Yes. Hip, Hop, Hooray for Brooklynn! by Jill Harold and Betsy Miller is a picture book specifically about a child going through clubfoot treatment, appropriate for Ages 2–5. One in 1000 by Sonia Alcón follows a boy named Jojo through his clubfoot treatment, with a free audiobook version available on YouTube. Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze is a true story about a girl born with arthrogryposis and clubfoot, appropriate for Ages 8–12. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley also features a main character with clubfoot and is recommended for Ages 9–12.
Are there children's books that feature walkers or crutches? Yes. I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood prominently features children using walkers and crutches as part of an inclusive dance class. Daniel's New Friend features Chrissie, who uses both leg braces and crutches. What Happened to You? and its companion You're So Amazing! feature a boy with one leg who uses crutches. We Move Together depicts kids using walkers and other mobility devices throughout its illustrations. Rescue and Jessica shows Jessica using a prosthetic leg, wheelchair, and crutches as part of her daily life.
Are there children's books about arthrogryposis? Her Own Two Feet by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze is one of the few children's books that addresses arthrogryposis directly. Co-written by Rebeka Uwitonze, who was born with the condition, it covers her treatment journey in a way that is both accurate and personal. Appropriate for Ages 8–12.
What is the Daniel Tiger book about Chrissie? Daniel's New Friend is based on the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood episode where Daniel meets Chrissie, Prince Wednesday's cousin, who wears leg braces and uses crutches. The book and episode both handle physical disability in a matter-of-fact, positive way that is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers.
What is Emmanuel's Dream about? Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson is a picture book biography about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a man born in Ghana with one functional leg who bicycled 400 miles across his country to raise awareness for people with disabilities. It won the Schneider Family Book Award and the ALA Notable Books designation, among other honors. Appropriate for Ages 5–9 and works well as both a classroom read-aloud and a home read.
How do books help children understand disability inclusion? Books give children a way to build empathy and vocabulary around disability before they encounter it in real life. A child who has already read a story about a character who uses a walker or wears braces is far more likely to respond with curiosity and kindness when they meet a peer with the same device.